Summer vacation

While I have internet, I have to complete some posts about what we have done. This summer we had the chance to take two vacations to see both of our families. First we went to Florida for my brother's wedding. It was fun for Jack to see his cousins, go to universal and sea world, and play in the pool at the rental house.
Then a week later we took a trip to Chicago to see Chris's family. His sister and her husband flew out as well so it was nice to see the whole family. We also went into the city, went to the zoo, and got to visit with old friends.
We did all of this while I was about 18 weeks pregnant, and so I was feeling awful the entire time and not really up to doing anything, but that's life.

Evan and McKenzie!

Jack had a meltdown while trying to take pictures

Somehow this is the best family shot I have

   three carseats fit in the back of a van

there is a hippo back there 

Jack was having a rough time with a diaper change and the only way to stop him from crying was a Popsicle in the bath tub

the family, minus Grandma who's taking the picture

Family of four

I always like it when Chris writes posts. He did a good job on the birth story but I of course have to add a little more. My body is made to deliver babies, not to grow them. It was only 3 hours from the very first contraction to being ready to push. I pushed through two contractions and she came out, and I didn't have any tearing, my recovery was quick, and my milk comes in fast.

Starting at 37 weeks I was having a ton of braxton hicks contractions. I kept expecting her to come at any moment, but those contractions were never intense, never any pain. So when the real contractions started it was pretty obvious to me and we went straight to the hospital without following the 5-1-1 rule the doctors were telling me (to come into the hospital when the contractions are five minutes apart, lasting 1 minute, and have been that way for one hour.) By the time we got to the hospital they were already less than 5 minutes apart and beginning to be quite painful. The doctor was actually still not at the hospital when I was completely dilated so waiting for her without an epidural would have been awful. The nurse just laughed when I was 10 centimeters. 

I was so thrilled to go into labor on my own instead of being induced. It was good that I did because the hospital was so full that they wouldn't let me come in to be induced at my scheduled time because of too many patients. That would not have made me happy. Because there were so many people, I didn't get to go up to my recovery room for probably 10 hours or so. Normally kids under 12 aren't allowed in the labor and delivery rooms, but since I was going to be in there for a while they let Jack come. He was the celebrity of the floor. None of the nurses were used to seeing kids his age and plus he is so cute talking to everyone and making friends. My labor room was awesome because it was so huge. Jack had a ton of room to run around, grandpa even gave him rides on an IV stand. 

I am loving the newborn phase, and sad that she is growing so fast. With Jack I wanted him to grow and do more fun things, but this time I like the little baby phase, despite being able to sleep at night. 

Juliet is now six weeks old, weighs about 10 1/2 pounds, 23 in long. She is starting to smile and is so adorable. Right now Juliet and I are up in Seattle for my Grandmothers funeral. It is a sad occasion, but it has been wonderful to see all my extended family. So here are pictures from the hospital and pictures from the past week.